Celebrating Christmas and Easter

[ayin jade]

I just want to add I don't like giant Easter Bunnys. They freak me out! I think giant Easter Bunnys are the freakiest things in the world!

 

In Arizona there is a cheesy trading post with a giant jackrabbit. 

 

http://www.roadsideamerica.com/attract/images/az/AZJOSrabbit_fraley.jpg

 

Folks take photos there all the time. I have one of hubby on it too lol.

[coheir]

 

 

 

 

I think it is safe to tell your children that the world celebrates Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny but we Celebrate Christ.I have heard of families making a birthday cake for Jesus on Christmas.I believe in putting up a Christmas tree.Some people think that a Christmas tree is pagan but I do not.I do not think their is anything wrong with hunting easter eggs.Just make sure the focus is on Christ.

Why do you not believe Xmas trees are pagan?

 

Their is nothing in the Bible that says Christmas trees are prohibited.Their is no spiritual significance to having a Christmas tree.We do not idolize a Christmas tree and bow down and worship it.If you like the smell and the looks of a Christmas tree and it adds to your Christmas their is nothing wrong with that.Do you know of anything in the BIble that states otherwise?

 

Jere 10

1 Hear ye the word which the LORD speaketh unto you, O house of Israel:

2 Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them.

3 For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the ax.

4 They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.

5 They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good.

this the only thing i can find

 

 

In those verses, the words translated as 'the hands of a workman' actually would refer to a person who carves wood. The workman take the wood/tree and carves an image. This violates the commands not to carve or mold an image. A carved image can not speak, or go anywhere. It really can't do anything. Neither evil or good as verse 5 says. It is just a carved image. Of course, the Christmas tree is not a molten or carved image, so this verse does not apply to Christmas trees.

 

well when i read v 3 I disagree with you.

in v3 there is a tree, a forest, and ax ( not a carving knife ) and it says with an ax so the work was not carved it was axed.

and he related these trees to an image i.e. their dead and can do no harm or good same as an image.

[Qnts2]

 

 

 

In those verses, the words translated as 'the hands of a workman' actually would refer to a person who carves wood. The workman take the wood/tree and carves an image. This violates the commands not to carve or mold an image. A carved image can not speak, or go anywhere. It really can't do anything. Neither evil or good as verse 5 says. It is just a carved image. Of course, the Christmas tree is not a molten or carved image, so this verse does not apply to Christmas trees.

 

well when i read v 3 I disagree with you.

in v3 there is a tree, a forest, and ax ( not a carving knife ) and it says with an ax so the work was not carved it was axed.

and he related these trees to an image i.e. their dead and can do no harm or good same as an image.

 

 

The word I am referencing is translated as 'workman'. The actual Hebrew word is Charash and means a craftsman, artist or graver. A graver carves or engraves. 

 

This relates to a law which has been repeated multiple times in scripture. Not to make a molded or graven image. The surrounding people practiced pagan religions and would chop down a tree to make a graven image, and decorate with gold and silver.   

 

Jeremiah 10:2 Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them.

 

Again Jeremiah 10:5 They [are] upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also [is it] in them to do good.

 

Very simply, the verses are describing the heathens who make graven images, idols made of wood. And that these idols have no power, can't move but must be carried around. Can not speak and can not do good or evil. They are just carved lumps of wood, not gods.   

 

Jeremiah 10:10 But the LORD [is] the true God, he [is] the living God, and an everlasting king: at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation.

11 Thus shall ye say unto them, The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth, [even] they shall perish from the earth, and from under these heavens.

 

The verses go on to describe the One True God, compared to these carved wooden idol gods.  

[coheir]

 

 

 

 

In those verses, the words translated as 'the hands of a workman' actually would refer to a person who carves wood. The workman take the wood/tree and carves an image. This violates the commands not to carve or mold an image. A carved image can not speak, or go anywhere. It really can't do anything. Neither evil or good as verse 5 says. It is just a carved image. Of course, the Christmas tree is not a molten or carved image, so this verse does not apply to Christmas trees.

 

well when i read v 3 I disagree with you.

in v3 there is a tree, a forest, and ax ( not a carving knife ) and it says with an ax so the work was not carved it was axed.

and he related these trees to an image i.e. their dead and can do no harm or good same as an image.

 

 

The word I am referencing is translated as 'workman'. The actual Hebrew word is Charash and means a craftsman, artist or graver. A graver carves or engraves. 

 

This relates to a law which has been repeated multiple times in scripture. Not to make a molded or graven image. The surrounding people practiced pagan religions and would chop down a tree to make a graven image, and decorate with gold and silver.   

 

Jeremiah 10:2 Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them.

 

Again Jeremiah 10:5 They [are] upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also [is it] in them to do good.

 

Very simply, the verses are describing the heathens who make graven images, idols made of wood. And that these idols have no power, can't move but must be carried around. Can not speak and can not do good or evil. They are just carved lumps of wood, not gods.   

 

Jeremiah 10:10 But the LORD [is] the true God, he [is] the living God, and an everlasting king: at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation.

11 Thus shall ye say unto them, The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth, [even] they shall perish from the earth, and from under these heavens.

 

The verses go on to describe the One True God, compared to these carved wooden idol gods.  

 

Q

I see what you mean i need to think on it some more; but what you say seems a good interpretation I have never seen it that way. Thanks

[coheir]

 

 

 

 

In those verses, the words translated as 'the hands of a workman' actually would refer to a person who carves wood. The workman take the wood/tree and carves an image. This violates the commands not to carve or mold an image. A carved image can not speak, or go anywhere. It really can't do anything. Neither evil or good as verse 5 says. It is just a carved image. Of course, the Christmas tree is not a molten or carved image, so this verse does not apply to Christmas trees.

 

well when i read v 3 I disagree with you.

in v3 there is a tree, a forest, and ax ( not a carving knife ) and it says with an ax so the work was not carved it was axed.

and he related these trees to an image i.e. their dead and can do no harm or good same as an image.

 

 

The word I am referencing is translated as 'workman'. The actual Hebrew word is Charash and means a craftsman, artist or graver. A graver carves or engraves. 

 

This relates to a law which has been repeated multiple times in scripture. Not to make a molded or graven image. The surrounding people practiced pagan religions and would chop down a tree to make a graven image, and decorate with gold and silver.   

 

Jeremiah 10:2 Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them.

 

Again Jeremiah 10:5 They [are] upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also [is it] in them to do good.

 

Very simply, the verses are describing the heathens who make graven images, idols made of wood. And that these idols have no power, can't move but must be carried around. Can not speak and can not do good or evil. They are just carved lumps of wood, not gods.   

 

Jeremiah 10:10 But the LORD [is] the true God, he [is] the living God, and an everlasting king: at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation.

11 Thus shall ye say unto them, The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth, [even] they shall perish from the earth, and from under these heavens.

 

The verses go on to describe the One True God, compared to these carved wooden idol gods.  

 

Q

just a note, its hard to change my mind once I think I understand a particular subject. It really makes so much more since now that I have shed my old view of this passage

and accepted your interpretation, thank you

[Page95]

I have decided not to observe christmas and easter any more as i believe these to be pagan holidays.  There is a scripture in the old testament that is against adorning trees with silver and gold but I cant remember the whole verse but to my mind this scripture is against adorning trees of any kind with decorations. Also in the bible in the new testament gospels it talks about the wise men taking gifts to the child but this did not happen when Jesus was a baby as I believe Him to be about 2 years old when the three wise men visited Him with gifts.  If you dont beleive me then just read the gospels for yourselves regarding the birth of Jesus.

 

Also Jesus was born in either September/October time so why celebrate someones birthday a couple of months later this does not make sense surely not. Christmas is pagan as far as I am concerned and most of us have gone to far in going overboard leading into materialism when it comes to Christas and Easter and gorging ourselves on food which is not good.

 

Easter is also a pagan holiday and honestly were does bunnies and easter eggs come into the equasion and hot cross buns honestly, I mean get real. Easter is not mentioned in the bible apart from the mistake of the word in the kings james version. Passover is from Wednesday until saturday and this is stated in the Word of God and please seriously read this and check it out for yourselves.

 

There are lots of pagan holidays that are celebrated including valentines day, st patricks day may day and possibly others too. So please be careful on what you take on board in your lives and concentrate on what the Word of God says and we should be observing the holy holidays as stated in the Bible.

[Qnts2]

I have decided not to observe christmas and easter any more as i believe these to be pagan holidays.  There is a scripture in the old testament that is against adorning trees with silver and gold but I cant remember the whole verse but to my mind this scripture is against adorning trees of any kind with decorations. Also in the bible in the new testament gospels it talks about the wise men taking gifts to the child but this did not happen when Jesus was a baby as I believe Him to be about 2 years old when the three wise men visited Him with gifts.  If you dont beleive me then just read the gospels for yourselves regarding the birth of Jesus.

 

Also Jesus was born in either September/October time so why celebrate someones birthday a couple of months later this does not make sense surely not. Christmas is pagan as far as I am concerned and most of us have gone to far in going overboard leading into materialism when it comes to Christas and Easter and gorging ourselves on food which is not good.

 

Easter is also a pagan holiday and honestly were does bunnies and easter eggs come into the equasion and hot cross buns honestly, I mean get real. Easter is not mentioned in the bible apart from the mistake of the word in the kings james version. Passover is from Wednesday until saturday and this is stated in the Word of God and please seriously read this and check it out for yourselves.

 

There are lots of pagan holidays that are celebrated including valentines day, st patricks day may day and possibly others too. So please be careful on what you take on board in your lives and concentrate on what the Word of God says and we should be observing the holy holidays as stated in the Bible.

 

What makes a day pagan? Truthfully nothing as God created all days, so all days are good to worship and honor God.

What makes a holiday pagan? A pagan holiday involves worshipping and/or honoring or recognizing a pagan god.

 

Christmas is a holiday which is not in scripture but the purpose is to honor Jesus. Jesus is not a pagan god so Christmas is not a pagan holiday.

 

Easter also is to honor what Jesus did, so is not pagan. During the first council of Nicea, Constantine wanted to separate Christianity from anything related to Judaism. With the majority agreement a letter was sent out to the various Christian leaders, not to celebrate Passover which is a holiday from the OT celebrated by the Jewish people. To separate from anything Jewish, a new system of deciding when the death and resurrection was to be observed which was meant to make sure Christians would not be celebrating at the same time as the Jewish people celebrated Passover, and the name of the Holy day was changed from Passover/Pesach/Pasha to Easter. In essence, Easter should land on the first fruits wave offering, which is the day after the Sabbath during the Passover week. The day of the first fruits wave offering was the day of the resurrection. So, if there is anything wrong with Easter, it is that Constantine did not like the Jewish people or Judaism, and wanted the Christians to separate from anything related to Judaism,

 

The word in the King James version is actually Pasha. Passover is not from Wednesday until Saturday. Passover is based on the OT calendar and starts on Nissan 14 with the feast of unleavened bread on Nissan 15, which lasts for 7 days. Passover does not always start on Wednesday.

[gnomonist]

I have decided not to observe christmas and easter any more as i believe these to be pagan holidays.  There is a scripture in the old testament that is against adorning trees with silver and gold but I cant remember the whole verse but to my mind this scripture is against adorning trees of any kind with decorations. Also in the bible in the new testament gospels it talks about the wise men taking gifts to the child but this did not happen when Jesus was a baby as I believe Him to be about 2 years old when the three wise men visited Him with gifts.  If you dont beleive me then just read the gospels for yourselves regarding the birth of Jesus.

 

Also Jesus was born in either September/October time so why celebrate someones birthday a couple of months later this does not make sense surely not. Christmas is pagan as far as I am concerned and most of us have gone to far in going overboard leading into materialism when it comes to Christas and Easter and gorging ourselves on food which is not good.

 

Easter is also a pagan holiday and honestly were does bunnies and easter eggs come into the equasion and hot cross buns honestly, I mean get real. Easter is not mentioned in the bible apart from the mistake of the word in the kings james version. Passover is from Wednesday until saturday and this is stated in the Word of God and please seriously read this and check it out for yourselves.

 

There are lots of pagan holidays that are celebrated including valentines day, st patricks day may day and possibly others too. So please be careful on what you take on board in your lives and concentrate on what the Word of God says and we should be observing the holy holidays as stated in the Bible.

________________________________

 

Hello and welcome.  I agree with you 110%.  

 

I think the passage of scripture regarding the xmas tree is described in Jeremiah 10:3-4. A lot say that this is the making of an idol, and not decorating a xmas tree.  But I always quip asking the question, "Is it any better if we skip a step shaping it and then go directly to the decorating part?"  It is said that celebrating Christ is all that matters, but then what scripturally does the tree represent?  Certainly not Christ or God.  As for commemorating Christ's birth, although the bible is not big on birthdays, I would say why not on a feast?  Namely the feast of Trumpets.

 

I personally do not feel comfortable with the traditional xmas/Easter holidays as the Holy Spirit convicts me of this, but I rather observe biblical holidays and by that at least be aware of their times and acknowledging to God their prophetic purpose thanking him for his revelation to us. Of course I am not advocating sacrificing animals or keeping an elaborate OT ceremony.  I use a different calendar and use the Gregorian for civil purposes only ---But you are correct in the time of year Christ was born. And likewise you are correct in Christ's time that the year he was crucified was on Wednesday Nisan 14 and arose late Nisan 17 (Saturday) to fulfil the Firstfruits feast (Sunday Nisan 18), that is to say, he had to be completely arisen as Nisan 17 passed and Nisan 18th dawned, not resurrected on Sunday morning, but only by the time Sunday started.

 

This is what I believe based on my scriptural study.

Edited July 23, 2013 by gnomonist

[LadyKay]

 

I have decided not to observe christmas and easter any more as i believe these to be pagan holidays.

 

Does this mean I wont be getting a Christmas gift from you this year?

[LadyKay]

 

I think the passage of scripture regarding the xmas tree is described in Jeremiah 10:3-4. A lot say that this is the making of an idol,

 They didn't have Christmas Tress in the Old Testament because they didn't have Christmas. So how can  that the scripture be about about Christmas trees when they did not have Christmas?  And an idol is something you worship and I have never worship a Christmas Tree or any other plant,  I put into my house. But yea if someone is worshiping a Christmas tree there is an issue. To each his own I say. If you feel something isn't right to do then don't do it. Who I am to say different.

Edited July 23, 2013 by LadyKay